News

The Boys ECNL Program (U16, U17, U19) traveled to St. Louis, MO to close out their fall season and compete against the best teams from across the country from December 16-18.

"The St. Louis showcase was a great experience for me and my teammates, it not only helped us learn to play In very cold temperatures but also taught us how to live and grow together," said Videep Mundodi U16 ECNL. "We got to play three very exciting games and finish off our fall season on a good note."

"I would like to congratulate the players and the coaching staff for all their hard work during this last event and throughout the fall season.  Our performances in the league and our showcases against the best teams in the country have been extremely positive," said Alex Cardenas, Boys Academy Director. "We look forward to the spring season with great anticipation in continuing the success that we have attained in the fall."

Coaching Staff in attendance: Alex Cardenas (Academy Director), Alfredo Martinez, Miguel Becerra

The Houston Dash Academy headed to Bell Bank Park in Mesa, AZ for this years GA Winter Showcase & Champions Cup event from December 1-5. This event was the first Champions Cup event of the season with all qualifying teams from U13 to U19 facing off. The Showcase event featured U15 - U19 teams who played competition outside of their conference during the event weekend. Colleges were represented in huge numbers from across the country with over 275 coaching staff present along with the United States Soccer Federation scouts observing the talent on the sidelines.

All six (6) Houston Dash Academy teams attended the prestigious event with three out of the six teams (U13, U14 and U16) qualifying for the quarter-final stages.

"Our first trip to Arizona and it did not disappoint!  Bell Bank Park was an impressive facility. Even after an unexpected day of rain in the dessert the grass fields were in great shape." said Spencer Bates, '07 chaperone / parent. "As the parent of a high school freshman, it was impressive to see the number and wide range of college scouts that showed up to our games. We are already looking forward to the next visit to Arizona.

"This past weekend I went to the GA Champions Cup in Arizona," said Emma Bates, 2007 Girls Academy player.  "It was so much fun traveling with my team, seeing college scouts at our games for the first time and just playing against other great teams. It was an amazing experience."

USA Men's World Cup Watch Party vs. Holland

A record-breaking number of teams from the Girls Academy Program played in their respective national playoffs in Oceanside, California at SoCal Sports Complex from June 22-29. The Dash 2009 Girls had a great run, ultimately losing on a PK in the final against the Colorado Rush, 0-1. The event attracted hundreds of college coaches to recruit. Additionally, several USA national coaches attended the games, scouting for potential future players for the United States soccer youth national team(s). 

The Girls Academy teams continue to compete against the very best in the country with outstanding results.  Our challenging training environment, game schedule, and overall player developmental pathway help bring the best out of our players. Based upon our coaches’ care and our players’ efforts, DDY players receive a record number of college scholarship offers each year. 

"The GA put on an amazing event. Overall it was a great learning opportunity and experience. I can’t wait to go back to more events in the future," said Carden 'Flori' Allison, Dash Academy 2009 Captain. 

On all levels, the GA excelled on the national stage in Oceanside. "The Girls Academy playoffs highlighted our success and improvement in the last 12 months. We wrapped up the season with one (1) champions league finalist, two (2) semi-finalists, five (5) teams qualifying for playoffs, and one national championship finalist," remarked Steve Grave, Dash Academy 2009 Head Coach.  "More importantly, the event allowed our prospective student-athletes to showcase their talents in front of hundreds of college coaches. I could not be more proud of all the players, families, and staff involved in the program." 

If interested in the club's summer camp program, register now below or visit our website for a full list of soccer programming available at www.dynamodashyouth.com

This last week, the club wrapped up its Spring comprehensive coaching education series in partnership with the Houston Dash with a professional training session at Houston Sports Park. Lead by Dash Head Coach James Clarkson, fifty-five licensed Dynamo | Dash coaches observed a training session where they were able to learn from and ask questions of Clarkson and his staff.

Dynamo | Dash leads the way in employing the best youth soccer coaching staff in Houston and across the country which ultimately provides the best personal and professional development for the staff and our players. We invest heavily in the continual education of our coaches, providing paid licensing opportunities, seminar & workshop courses, employee attendance at the annual National Coaches Convention, educational topics presented by guest speakers / internal staff every Thursday along with the weekly Monday's opportunity to connect with the Dynamo Academy Partners in Development series.

"We have a responsibility to provide opportunities for our coaching staff to continually improve their credentials and attend innovative events that help them progress in their personal development," said Dave Dengerink, Academy Director. "The game is constantly changing daily with higher demands. It is up to the club to provide the necessary resources and tools for the staff to continue to lead the youth soccer marketplace in coaching education."

The Girls Academy launched a separate, aspirational competition to add additional quality competition for the most competitive clubs in the GA. Qualification was a reward for a consistent commitment to player development and overall success.

Participants are decided based on final league standings and consist of two (2) clubs from each of the seven (7) conferences. Additionally, the top (2) best-performing and highest ranked wildcard teams at the National Playoff from each age group were added to the mix for a total of sixteen (16) teams per age group. The following elite clubs across the country were present: Colorado Rush & Houston Dash (Frontier), National & Cincinnati United Premier (Mid-America), TSJ-FC & Cedar Stars Academy-Monmouth (Mid-Atlantic), NEFC & South Shore Select (Northeast), Lamorinda Soccer Club & FC Bay Area Surf (Northwest), Tophat Gold & IMG Academy (Southeast), City SC & SC Del Sol (Southwest). Over two hundred and twenty (220) college staff were present along with professional scouts / staff from the USA and Mexico Soccer Federations.  

All six (6) Dash teams qualified for the prestigious event with the following groups highlighting the event:

• 2009 group finished in 2nd place (lost on penalties, ranked #23 Topdrawersoccer)
• 2007 group finished in 3rd place (won on penalties).
• 2005 group finished in 4th place.

Dash Academy 2009 (ranked #23 Topdrawsoccer)

Dash Academy 2005

The Dash Academy hosted teams from the Girls Academy League Frontier Conference this past weekend at Bear Branch and Gosling sports complexes in The Woodlands.  Fifty-four elite level games were played on state-of-the-art turf fields during a three-day period. Participating clubs included: Lonestar Soccer Club (Austin, TX), Kansas Rush (Olathe, Kansas), Lou Fusz (St. Louis, Missouri), BVB International Academy (Carrollton, Texas) and Sporting St. Louis (Maryland Heights, Missouri).  The Dash Academy completed the weekend with a record of 10-4-4.  

Also in attendance were staff from multiple college programs.: Cornell University, Southern Utah University, UTEP, Texas Christian University, Newberry College, West Virginia, University of Iowa, Long Beach State University, Harvard University, Pittsburg University, Bowling Green University, Central Arkansas University, Texas A&M University, South Carolina University, Colorado Mesa University, Iowa State University, Stetson University, University of Utah, Virginia Tech University, Tufts University, University of Redlands, Davidson College, University of Miami, Liberty University, Emory University, Dickinson College, Penn State University, University of Florida, Columbia University, Point Loma University, University of Minnesota, San Diego State University, University of Rochester, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Texas, University of Houston, University of Kentucky, Michigan State University and Rice University.

"I would like to thank all the visiting teams, coaching staff, players, parents, volunteers and referees for making this weekend a tremendous success," said Coach Steven Grave, Girls Academy Coach | Event Director. "The club has a responsibility to continue to showcase and promote our players to college coaches from across the country.  This was accomplished during the weekend by hosting and playing the above clubs on first class facilities."

"When I think of the experience that our club had this past weekend in Houston during the Girls Academy league play, one word comes to mind...quality.  Quality opponents, a quality environment and quality facilities." Daouda Kante, Executive & Technical Director, Kansas Rush Soccer Club.

"Being brand new to the Houston Dash GA team, this showcase over the past weekend was a great experience for me to get more comfortable with my team and show off my abilities to the coaches present," said Abby Onstad, Dash Academy 2006 GK. "I think it was a good experience to showcase myself in front of top colleges because I was able to play with a great team against other elite level programs."

"Great showcase, good competition. I love how Dash reached out and welcomed top college coaches. Many were there to see their current recruits too. Two perfect venues to showcase our talented girls!  Thanks, Dash!" Debbie Staton, event volunteer / club parent.

"By continuing to host events in The Woodlands provides opportunities for our local residents to enjoy their youth soccer experience in their own back yard thus bringing further economic impact to the local community," said Simon Boddison, Director of Soccer Operations.  "I would like to thank The Woodlands Township, our hotel and food partners along with Memorial Hermann Hospital who covered all our athletic training needs for the event."

The club is excited to announce that Justin Neese has joined the Dynamo | Dash Youth Coaching staff as the Dash City Program (DCP) Director. Neese will have oversight for the development of U10-U12 players as they progress towards the Houston Dash Girls Academy (GA) and GA2 programs. In his former role as Dynamo Academy Catalyst Foundation Program Director, Neese built a thriving program preparing Houston’s best 9 to 12-year-old players to enter the prestigious Dynamo MLS Next Academy.

"I am grateful to the senior staff at Dynamo | Dash Youth Soccer Club for the exciting opportunity to join the club and I am thrilled about the opportunity to collaborate with all of the players and parents within the program," said Justin Neese, Dash City Director.  "I am looking forward to working alongside the staff to develop and continue to grow a national level program for these young, promising players providing a robust pathway for the best female players in Houston to the Dash Academy."

Justin Neese:

• Academy Director License.
• US Soccer 'A' Youth License.
• NSCAA/ USC Premier Diploma and DOC Diploma.
• Ten (10) years at the Houston Dynamo FC Academy working primarily with U10 to U12 players.
• Catalyst Program Director for Dynamo Academy FC from 2019 to 2021.
• Head Women's Coach and Assistant Women's coach for NCAA DIII program in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas before moving back to Houston in 2012.
• Previous experience working in coach education for North Texas, South Texas, and the NSCAA/ USC.
• Native Houstonian - grew up playing Club and high school soccer in Houston.